This week, we’re celebrating the release of “Fatherhood: Rising To the Ultimate Challenge,” the new book by NBA veteran Etan Thomas, written with MyBrownBaby contributor Nick Chiles, and we thought it only fitting that, as we sing the book’s praises, we show you how amazing it is. We have to be honest: it was no easy task to choose only one essay to excerpt from this work, which brings together a chorus of voices—pro athletes like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tony Hawk, Yao Ming and Kevin Durant, activists like Roland Martin, Kevin Powell and Ed Gordon, and artists like Talib Kweli, Ice Cube, Lamman Rucker and Chuck D—to weigh in on the importance of being a father, having a father and learning how to be great, even when your father is not around. The stories are inspiring and deeply personal and do an incredible job of sending the message that by standing up and taking an active role as fathers, men find more joy in their lives and pass on to the next generation a legacy of love, wisdom, responsibility and strength. Of course, while we’re sharing an excerpt today, we invite you to find out for yourself how beautiful, special and powerful “Fatherhood” is by purchasing a copy for yourself and someone you love. Buy “Fatherhood: Rising to the Ultimate Challenge” here.Read more…